Aerial apparatus.



' M. FOWLER.

AERIAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED 11013 1909.

981,185. 7 Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

4 BHEETSSHEET 1.

Zdizzz es 3 es 152 002 for I 77 arwfz G. M. FOWLER.

AERIAL APPARATUS.

I APPLIUATION FILED NOV. 3, 1909. 7 981,185. Patented Jan.10,1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a l v l I ll I @p L A WN No.

Zdzlness es G. M. FOWLER.

AERIAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION H1131) 11011.3. 1909.

" Pa-tented Jan 10,1911.

4 sun's-alum s1 RM? for G. M. PQWL-BR AERIAL APPARATUS. APPLICATIONFILED NOV. 3, 1909.

Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

. 4 sums-sum 4.

Zdzfzzessesr ."Improvements in Aerial Apparatus, of which UNI ED I E omen.)

Guns n. rownnn, 'or sm rnnncrsoo, ioAniron'um.

-Toallw7mhitmctyconcem' Ivide an air -ship or flying machine whic dirigible, and which may be navigated through the air at the [will ofthe operator, and in which-means are provided for automaliically retaining the apparatus on aeven kee. i I 3 Another obj ect, of this invention is to pro 'vide an air-ship. which is self-starting, and

' which is fitted with anemergency parachute .to insuresafe landing, and to be used in case of accidents to machinery. 4

This machine is designed as, simulateithe movements of securing bird in flight; and

- the se'veralplanes, acting as wings, are autois a diagram in plan showing the pendulum matica lly operated so as to balance the ma chine in unequal .air. currents. The hull "or body of themachine is i'nclosed for the pur-. pose of protecting the aviator and passengers fromthe weather. a

The 'nventio'n consists of the parts, "and the combination and construction of-parts as hereinafter more. fully described and claimed, reference bein had to'the accompanying drawings, inw ich:

I Figure 1 is apers ective view of the "in.- vention in flight. I 1g. 2'is a longitudinal section partly in elevation, showing the op erati g wires in die ram. Fig. dis a transv verse section on" the ine a2-:v, Fig; ,2,' showing the pendulum control of the lane tips. Fig. 4 is a detail of a sliding'bloc showing.

the relativem'ovement of the sleeve, 'and the plane tips. Fig.5 is a diagram in [plan showmg the pendulum control of thevertical 'vee'rin vanes. Fig. 6 isa detail of-the lower end-o the "tilting plane support, and the veering v'a'ne mechanism. .Figi 7 (Sheet 2) control of the intermediate side, planes. Fig.

umbrellag Fig. 1Q is a 8 "is a side elevation in outline showing the parachute in the open position; Fig. 91s a U time m gmas.

. n i Specification Letters Patent. .A 'pueamn filed liovemher altos). Serial -No. 526,021

sectional view of the parachute releasing etail in perspective Patented Jan. 10, 1911 of thereleasing clam'p.- Figs. 11 and 12 are details of the winding drum and its cr'ankj handle. Fig. 13 is an'outline view-showin' the methodof starting. i Fig. leis a detail of the friction drive and starting device;

1 In the drawings, A is the shell or body of my flying machine, which is substantially- -.,cigar,-sha' ed .i1'1 form, and is constructed of s lk or 0 hersuitable fabric stretched over a light'skeletonor frameof an desired material.- Thcinterior of the s ell A is'designed to contain 'theldrivingfmachinery, freight, etcl, together withtthe aviator and passengers." 'The forward} portion 2 of the shell A is preferably covered with atransparentmate'rial such as celluloid, or the like,

topermit the aviator who occupies the positlon shown in 'Fi .2, to-have an unob- 'structed Vi6W in a1 directions forward of the .a'reoplane' thus enabling him to avoid obstructions during flight; and when land-- ings .rLaterally projecting curved planes extend longitudinally ofthe'shc'll- A and are r1 idly mounted'near the t? an on eachl'si'e thereof, as-shownin The outer portion of these; curved planes is a flexible, the tips ir b .being bent downward so 'as toform an air pocket, the area of .which is automatically regulated as. later de-' scribed.- Lower horizontal planes 4-IJ extend from the bottom of the shell. A parallel 'to the curved lanes 3-3. These low'er planes are rigi secured tothe shell A and project outward y to a point of approxlmately tWo-thirds1the span of the upper planes,"and are connected thereto by vsuit- .able brace rods'and'wi'res. The tipsc-d of the lower. planes are also flexible and are slightly curved downward as shown in Fig.

constructed of. a light fabric stretched over flexible ribs, and are shaped to normally stand in' the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3,.and are adapted to be expanded or contracted at their tips s o' as 'to increase or decrease their-projecting area. This operation of the plane. tips is automatically controlled-by means of a within the shell The" 'nduluin '5 is preferably so con pendulum 5 mounted structe as 'tocarry freight, fuel, or assengets, and is-rigidly-mounted on a -s aft 6,

suspended from the ,top and extending lengthwise of the shell A, the shaft 6 being free to turn in its: bearings,- and acting as thepivotalflpointof the pendulum 5. All

, the pendulum 5 to exert a upwardly projecting arm 7 on theshaft 6 is connected by cables 8-8 tosliding sleeves 9-9 which ride'upon the inner ends of the ribs of the lower planes H. There may be as many arms 7 on the shaft 6, and corresponding sleeves 9-9 as will be found necessary to operate the plane tips the length of the machine, preferably one set to each plane rib. Connecting rods 10-10 extend from the sleeves 9-9 to the upper planes 3-3 and are pivotally'eonneoted at each end. Cables 11-11 have one end secured tohthe plane tips a-b, and pass around sheaves 12-12 on the sleeves 9-9, the other ends being secured to' the ribs of the lower planes 4-4.

The operation of the lateral plane control is as follows: The natural position of the pendulum 5 and arm 7 is erpendicular to the axis of the shell A. I the shell should tip or rock on its axis so as to raise or lower the curved edges of the lateral planes out of their normal position,'movement is imparted to the sleeves 9-9 through the cables 8-8 by reason of the pendulum 5 and arm 7 remaining stationary. This action produces the following results:

Referring to Fig. 3, assume that the planes 3-3 -4-4 are tipped out of the horizontal position shown, so that the planes 3 and 4. on the left hand'side are elevated in the direction of the' arrow Z. This causes pull' upon the cable 8 and slack the cable 8 thus ulling the sleeve 9 toward the shell A, and y rea-. a connecting "rod 13 between the.

son of sleeves 9-9 the latter is moved'outward and takes up the slack in cable 8. The inward movemnt of the sleeve 9 pulls down on the plane 3 through the rod 10, a1 1d draws the tip' a into the position shown in dotted lines at 0 thus contracting the projectin area of plane 3; the outward movement 0 the sleeve 9 through the rod 10' fore es the plane 3- upward into the position indicated at f, thus increasing the projecting area of plane 3 This action of reducing the spread of plane surface on the high side of the machine, and increasing the s read of plane surface on the low side, ten s to restore equilibrium and maintain the aeroplane on an even keel laterally. If the direction of tip is opposite that just described, the operation will be reversed, so that whichever side of the machine tends to rise, the spread of plane surface on that side is automatically decreased.

Vertical veering vanes 141414 are disposed above the shell A and planes 3-3. These vanes l l-l F-l i normally extend lengthwise of the shell A, and each 15 mounted on a tubular shaft 15 (see Fig. 6) which incloses and is free to rotate, i. 6. move from side to side, upon a normally vertical support 16. These vanes 14, etc., are subject to the action of the pendulum 5, and are con nected to the latter in the following manner:

The central tubular shaft 15 is provided at its lower end with laterally projecting arms 17-17 each of which are connected to the opopsite sides of an upwardly projecting arm 18 on the shaft 6, by means of cables -19 -19' as shown in diagram in Fig. 5, and

in such manner that as the body A tips upwardly on either side, a pull is exerted on the arm 17 or 17 on the opposite side of the shaft 15 so as to direct the forward ends of the vanes 14-14'-14 toward the high side, the vanes 14' and 14" being connected to vane 14 so as to move therewith. For illustration, referring to F i 5, as the apparatus tilts upward in the irection of they arrow Z, Fig. 3, the pendulum arm 18, ulls upon the-cable 19 in the direction of the arrows, Fig. 5. and .thus throws the vertical veering vane 14 into the position indicated in dotted lines, with the front end of the vane 14 toward thehigh side. The connection between the outer vertical veering vans l f-lt' and the central vane 14, consists of wires 20, which connect the tips of the several vanes both in front and rear, so that the outer vanes respond to the slightest movement of the inner vane 14. The object of these vertical veering vanes is to-aid the horizontal planes in maintaining the balance of the aeroplane under all circumstances.

In addition to the horizontal planes'and vertical vanes which act only to maintain the aeroplane in lateral balance, a pair of side or mtermediateplanes 21-21 (Figs. 2-7 )p are provided, which tend to retalr the machine in longitudinal balance. These planes 21-21 are mounted at their centers upon a. shaft 22 extending across the body of the machine, and project from the sides of the body A, at a point near the rearward end. The shaft 22 is adapted to be acted upon by a swinging pendulum 23 in such manner that for instance, as the front end of thcaeroplane drops downward, the pendulum 23 pulls upon a cable 24 so as to throw the forward ends of the planes 21-21 downward at a reater angle thanthat 'of the aeroplane body A, thus tending to lower the rear portion of the body A to a level with the ..fcrward end. The planes 21-21 are.ac-ted upon by the slightest tilt of the machine lengthwise, and thus exert an mfluence to maintain the aeroplane inbalance longitudinally.

The driving or propelling mwhanism of this aeroplane consists of twin propellers 25-25 which are rotated in opposite d1- rections, by a motor 26 of any su table construction. The propellers are situated at the forward end of the body A, one on each side thereof, and are connected to the motor 26, in any suitable manner.

The steering apparatus consists of a inbladed tail 27 sup aorted'lonawshaft 28, and mounted in aball and socketbearing 29 at the rearward endTof the body A. The inner end of the shaft 28.is connected by, cables 30 30 to a drum 31Llocated conven ient to-the aviator in the forward end. of the shell A in such manner that as the drum 31 is rotatedyone cable winds thereon while the other '-unwinds, the detail of which will be later'described. The cables 30-30" are 'for operating the tail. 27 up and down, while similar cables"'3232', only one of. which .is shown (see Fig. 2), are secured to. the shaft 28, and extendat'ri'ght angles to the czibles-30-30, .then pass to a drum 33 convenient to the aviator,'- for the purpose .of reciprocating the tail from side to side. The tail is so constructed that as it .is lowered, the nose of the: aeroplane will be deflected downward, orj'vice versa, and as it 'is movedto one side the machine will be directed in the same direction; The iflexibility of the frame-work of the shell A, permjts of the necessary contractions to allow the deflection of thestationary'cable during the movement of theother.

A' horizontal tilting plane 34 is rigidly mounted on the shaft v16, and extends over the vertical veering vanes 1414f.14" and v34 is operated through cables 3737' and a drum 38, in a-manner such as described in relation t6 drums 31-33.

A running gear, consisting p, of spring-'- cushioned wheels 39., fourin number, is provided for startingand landing purposes, and,

is'adapted to be drawn upward into or along the side of the body .A during flight so as 3 to not offer a; resistance to the air land impede the forward movement of the aeroplane. Each wheel 39 ismounted on an arm 40'p1voted to the shell A consisting of a double shaft, one sliding upon the other and .connected by a buffer spring 40'. A similar "brace shaft 41 extends from the shaft 40 to the interior of the shell A,-and'- is connected by cables '42.42' to a drum 43, the cables being wound on the latter, draw the wheels 39 up in the shell A. Opposed cables 44-44.

connect to the opposite sides of the arm 40,

and connect with the drum 43 by which the wheels 39 are lowered to the position shown in. Fig. 2.

' Ifhe starting-mechanism consists of a cable" 44', see-F1gs, 13-14, having a tri-prol'igedanchor'45 at its outer end, and its inner end wound up'onand to a. drum 46 operated by a friction. drive 47 from the engine".

26. To make a start with-this device, the anchor end of cable 44 is unwound from the ofthe aeroplane, and the prongs of the anchor 45 firmly-driven into the soil or other drum. 46 andcarried some distance forward surface. The engine 26 being started at full upon the cable, at the start, hence 'thevariable sp'eedfrictiondevice shown in F1g. 14 is employed. This device consists of a disk '47? mounted-on the engine shaft 48 and rotatable therewith, and a friction disk 47 connected with-the drum 46, through a shaft -50 and slidable longitudinally thereon. The -disk47 is thrown into contact with the disk 47 by means of a. lever .47 b in the usual man-,

ner, thespeed'of its revolutions being increased as it is broughtnearer the edge of the driving disk 47. In this manner, theoperator. increases the speed of' the winding drum, and thus-through the forward move-i --ment of theaeroplane, due to-the winding of the cable 44, gains sufiicient momentum that by the time the anchor 45 is reached the aeroground, and start on eing released by-thc lane will leave the 1ts flight, the anchor upward pull. Asarheans in4t-he event of accident or emergencydurparachute is normally wound on a drunr 51 within the rear end of the shell A,'a cable connecting its lower end to the top of the centershaft 16, the cable 52 'beingfwound on the'drum 51 with the parachute 50, so that .as the parachute is unwoundthe cable 52 .will. unwind simultaneously. A releasing umbrella 53 is connectedto the upper end of the parachute 50, and normally lies folded. upol the horizontal lane of the tail 27 and retained. thereon. j means of a spring clamp 54' (see Fig. 10 This clamp 54 is so constructed thatby-pulling upon a string 55, which extends forward'to a. point .near the aviator, a spring latch 50 releases the clamp 54, which is. drawn backward by speed would cause toogreata pull or jerk of insuring a safe landing, and 1 .95 ing flight, a parachute'50 is provided. This a-spring 57..- Thisdisengxges the releasing umbrella, which is caused to'open by spring 58 Fig. 9) th u's expanding it so as to catch the air. *This causes the umbrella to raise,

kite fashion, thus exertinga pull uponfthe upper end of the parachute 50, unwinding it from the drum 51, and bringing it into the operativeposition shown in Fig. 8. 'The winding drums 31, 33, 38 and 43 are" structed as shown'in Figs. 11-12.

coir.

The drum body 60 isfsup'ported in any suitable manner, and each pair of operating 1 cables wound thereon in opposite directions so that as one cable winds up, the other unwinds. The drum] 60 'is revolved 'by' meansof a crankfil mounted on the drum shaft.

The crank 61-is provided with a handle 62 on which is mounted a spring latch 63, at-

tached to a pin 64 which normally projects into holes or notches 65 in a fixed plate 66;

In operating the drum, the aviator grasps the handle 62 andlatch 63, thus releasing the pin 64 from the plate 66, so that the drum 60 can be rotated in either direction. On releasing the handle 62 and latch 68, the

- pin 64 drops into a hole 65 on theplate 66,

and thus retains the drum 60 in sition.

The 'eration of the invention is as follows: hen it is desired to make a flight, the starting mechanism is employed as before described. .The propellers 25 are rotated at the same time the starting cable a fixed po- 4.4 is being wound on the drum 46, thus impelling a volume of air beneath the planes 4.4', which are slightly inclined as shown in Fig. 13,thus-tending to elevate the aeroplane from the ground. The pendulum control operates as before described to retain the machine in balance, at starting and during flight. The aviator guides and directs the flight of the machine by means of the tail 27 which is operated by means of the 1 drums 31-33. When it is desired to make and the tilting plane 34 is tipped backward a landing, the machine isdirected downward by the downward tilt of the tail 27,

by operating the drum 38, so as to retard the forward movement of the aeroplane, and cause the aeroplane to alight on its rear wheels. The action of I the propellers 25-25 at the moment of alighting is to form. an air cushion beneath the planes 4-4,- thus allowing the aeroplane to settle easily to the ground. The running-gear being previously brought'to its lowermost pociosed body posed of transparent -I'nateria1, a pair of sition throu 'h the drum 43, such shock as may result from contacting the ground being. taken up by the shock-absorbing springs 40.

Having thus described V my invention,

what I claini and desire Patent 1s- 1. 4n aerial apparatus consisting of a to secure by Letters propellers revoluble at the front {of themachme; curved planes transverse-to the body,

a single rudder with universal" joint, a.

swinging platform within the bod cbnnectionsbetween the platformand t e planes for operating the latter,1 anda motor located within the body.

. 2. The combinationin an aerial apparatus, of a shell or body, curved transversely projecting planes having flexible tips, ahd automatic means for simultaneously raising one and lowering the other tip to increase the spread of the plane surface on the low i side of the machine and reduce the spread of-the'plane surface on the high side of the machmewhen said machine-istipped out ofa horizontal position.

! 3. The combination in an aerial apparatus, of an inclose-l shell, transversely-extending planes havingthe inner edges fixed, the outer edges curved donnwardly, supmentioned planes, and connections whereby both sets of planes may be moved in unison to increase the spread of the plane surface on the low side of the machine and reduce the spread of. the plane surface on the high side of said machine when the machine is tipped out of horizontal position.

4. The combination in an aerial apparatus, of a shell or body, a pair of propellers located at the front, laterally projecting planes having their inner edges fixed, and the outer edges flexible and curved downwardly. other planes of smaller area beneath the upper planes and approximate]; parallel therewith, said planes having flexlble downwardly curved tips, aswinging pendulum weight located within the shell, 'and connections between said weight and the tips of the planes whereby the latter are raised and lowered automatically to counteract side tilting movements of the apparatus.

'5. In an aerial apparatus, a shell or body, a pair of propellers located in the front, and a motor therefor within the shell, laterally projecting planes having the inner edges fixed, the outer 'edges flexible; and curved downwardly, other planes of smaller area similarly fixed beneath the first named planes, a weighted pendulum suspended to swing within the shell, cords connecting said verse tilting of the machine acts to straighten the-curvature of the planes upon one side, and correspondingly increase the side.

6. The combination in an aerial apparatus, of a shell or body, propellers located at the front, and a motor within the shell, curved planes projectinglaterally from the =sides of the apparatus, alongitudinally, journaled shaft in the upper portion of the shell, a platform adapted to carry weight-s, said platform sus ended from and swinging freely below the s aft, arms fixed to and radiating from theshaft, cords connecting one of said arms with the plane tips, and direction pulleys over which said cords ass.

7. The combination in an aeria apparae tus, of a shell or body,-'a pair of propellers located at the front, and a motor within the shell, transversely extending curved planes superposed in pairs upon oppositesides of the shell, a pendulum consistm of a wei hted platform, a longitudinally isp'osed s aft from which said platform is suspended, upwardly projecting arms carried by the shaft and movable in-unison with the swinging movements of the pendulum, flexible cords plementahplanes located beneath the first pendulum with the planes so that the trans curvature of the planes upon the opposite.

or cables connected to one ofsaid arms, slid-- able sleeves with'which said cords are -con-. nected, and connections between said sleeves 'and' the movable-planes, and connections between the pairsof planes upon either side whereby they are moved in unison;

1 8. The combination in an aerial apparatus, of a shell or body, apair of propellers located inffront, steeringmechanism 1n the. rear, anda motor contained within the shell,

a suspended pendulum-like platform'adapt ed to swing from side, to side within the shell, s'uperposedsubstantially lateral planes upon each side ofthe shell having their in; ner edges fixed,the, outer edges flexible and a curved, connections between said planes and superposed the pendulum platfiorm'whereby' the normal position of the planes is; maintained, while the apparatus is "substantially horizontal,

said connections-serving to relatively and.

automatically raise the planes. upon one side and depress themhponthe oppositeside to restore equilibrium if the apparatustilts to one side or the other, a

9. The combination in an aerial apparatus, of a shell or.body,a pair' of propellers locatedat the front, a motor contained within the body, transverse laterally superposed planes havingrcurved flexible tlps, a swing mg pendulum platform within the shell, eonne'ctionsbetween said platform and the planes whereby those upon OPPOSitQSidQS areautomatically moved; in opposite directions to maintain an equilibrium, vertically disposed; vanes located above the shell and turn- Lable with relation thereto, and connections betweenv said vertical vanes and the pendu- 10. The combinationin an aerial apparatus, of a shell or body, propellers'at the front and-steering rudder at the rear, and a motor contained within the shell, laterallyprojecting'pla'ne's having-downwardl curved ti s in, pairs upon eac side of t e shell, a shaft extending longitudinally through the upper part of the shell, a swing,- .--ing pendulum platformconnected with said shaft,'and arms projecting upwardly from I the shaft, flexible connections between one of said arms and the planes whereby the latterare moved in opposition to maintain the equilibrium of the apparatus, vertically disposed connected vanes above the she s-a shaft having'laterally projecting arms, flexibl'e connections-between the two last named: sets of armsand one of the armson said pendulum shaft whereby the vertical vanes} are moved in unison with the -lateral lanes by the automatic" action of the pen ulum when the apparatus is thrown out of equilibrium transversely. 11. The combination in an aerial apparatus, of a shell or body havin laterally projectinv airs ofplane's, w-it' downwardly curved between said 'stand at an angle'to give greater liftingexible tips, upwardly extending longitudinally disposed vanes above the shell, a sus plded swinging pendulum platform within thefshell, flexible connections between the above na'med planesand vanes, and the platform, whereby a'transverseequilibrium 7 of the a paratus is maintained, other planes mount atthe rear of the apparatus, a sec ond endulum mechanism with which said supp emental lanes are connected, said planes being tiltable toward the frontnnd rear, and automatically movable to control the :upward and downward movements of the apparatus. 7

12. The combination in an aerial apparatus, of a shell or body, lateral superposed 8." pairs of planes having downwardly curved flexible-tips, vertical longitudinally disposed vanes extending upwardlyfrom the shell, a weighted swinging pfendulumlike platform located within the shell, flexible connections 1 between said pendulum and the planes, a subto maintain e uilibrium of the-apparatus, a

pair of propel ers located in'front of the ap: paratus, a motor and connections by which the propellersarerot ted, a steering apparatus consisting ofa tri-bladed rudder, a ball and socket bearin therefor; connections between said rud er and the pilot-house whereby the aviator may controlthe same.

. 14. The combination in an aerial machine, 'ofa shell or body having laterallg extending planes, and vertical vanes, pen ulums an flexible connections between said pendulnms and planes, and vanes whereby the'planes and vanes aremoved automatically to maintain the equilibrium of the a paratus, a substantially horizontal lane hxed'a'cross the top of the su erg-pose vertical vanes, and means by whic said-plane may be tilted to power, orbackwardlyto retard the forwar pr gress of the apparatus-during the flight or in landing.

L- 15 The combination in an aerial machine, "digs, shell or body with-laterally extendin panes and vertical vanes, pendulums an flexible connections between'the pendulums .5

and said lanes'andivanes whereby the latter are moved ,a itoma'tically to'maintain an equ1- librium of theapparatus, propellers located in front ofthe' apparatus, and a steering device, a motor and connections by whichth'e u. p

propellers are rotated, means for startingthe apparatus, said means including an anvance of the apparatus, a windm drum, a cable connecting the anchor therewith here by: the turning of the drum will wind the' cable and impel the apparatus toward the anchor, said anchor being turnable to break its hold whenthe apparatus is contiguous o it; a

4 1G. The combination in an aerial machine, of a shell or body balancing lateral planes and vertical vanes, propellers, a motor, and steering mechanlsm, means for starting the apparatus, said means includin an anchor adapted to be fixed in the groun in advance of the apparatus, a winding drum connected with the anchor, and means for gradually increasing the speed of the drum' after the start has been effected.

17. The combination in of a shell or body, and vertical". vanes, propellers, a motor and steering mechanism, means for starting the apparatus, said means including an anchor adapted to befixed in the ground in advance of the apparatus,.a winding drum connected with the anchor, means for gradually increasing the speed of the drum after the starthas been effected, said means including frictional disks revoluble at right angles and an aerial machine,

' means for movin one of said disks radially with relation to the other with which its pe riphery contacts.

' 18. The combination in an aerial machine, of a shell or body,

balancing lateral planes and vertical vanes, and a pendulum connectcd therewith. propellers. a motor and steering mechanism, a parachute connected with the apparatus, means for holding the parachute when not in use, and'means for releasing and placing the parachute in a vertical position, ready to be distended.

19. The combination with an'aerial machineprovided with a'tail, of a parachute, a

cable. connecting it with the aerial machine,

a drum upon wliiclrthe parachute coiled and stored when not in use, arcleaslng umbrellaconnected to the p p er end of'the parachute, and normally he ldin the horizontal plane of the tail, a holding and releasing means whereby the umbrella is allowed to act to extend the parachute and place it in a vertical position.

20. 'lhecom'bination withan aerial ma chine provided with a .tail. of a parachute, a cable connect-ing itwith the aerial machine,

a-drum upon which the parachute is coiled. and'stored when not in u e, a releasing 11m-' brella-connected to the uppenend of the parachute, and normally held in the horizontal plane. of thetail, a holding and relea'sing means l-whereby the umbrella is allowed to act to 'extend the parachuteand place it in a vertical 'position, sa1d releasing means balancing lateral planes.

dulum platform,

tus, of a shell or body,

- my hand in the including a clamp, and a cord extending therefrom to the position of the aviator,

- and a sprin latch actuated by the'cord to release the c am l 21. The comblnationin an aerial mach ne, of a shell or body, lateral and vertical adjustable planes, a pair of propellers located in front of the apparatus, a steering mechanism in the rear, a motor by which'the propellers are driven, and means fortiltin certain of the planes in" the direction 0 movement of the apparatus whereby a blast of air from the propellers may act upon the lower surfaces of the planes to assist 1n raising the apparatus from the ground.

22. -Th e of a shell or body, laterally adjustable superposed planes, a pendulum mechanism by e combination in an aerial machine,

which the planes are automatically adjusted ground at a point in advance of the apparatus, a winding drum with speed varying connections, a cable connecting said drum with the anchor, .the propellers acting'to force a blast of air beneath the inclined planes during the forward movement of the apparatus toward the anchor, and producmg a joint action to impel and raise the ap- I paratus from the ground. V

23. The combination in an aerial apparatus,.of a shell or body, a suspended pen-- in, superposed pairs of laterally extending planes connected with the pendulum and automatically movable to maintain transverse equilibrium, other planes tiltable forward and backward-with relation to the longitudinal axis of the machine, pro ellers connected with the motorand pro ucing a blast of air toward the apparatus, said blast acting against the inclined lower surfaces of the planes to assist in raising the. apparatus from the ground, and similarly acting upon said first-named planes to form an. air cushion to assist in the easy alighting of the machine. I

24. The combination in anhcrial apparalateral flexible planes and vertical veering vanes. a weighted pendulum contained within the shell, and connections between the pendulum and the planes and vanes whereby they co-act. to malntaln the apparatus n equlllbrlum.

and a motor located there- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' GATES M. FOWLER.

r Witnesses:

G120. H. S mone,

CHARLES A. PENFIELD. 

